Recommendations on 4G Modem?

reikiman · 2024-06-24T02:13:09.172Z

I have an Opal router, and due to my circumstances my only Internet access at the moment is using a 4G network. I'd been using a cell phone in WiFi Hotspot mode before finding the GL-Inet Opal router
Along with this router I bought a cheap "4G Modem" that is also a Router. It means I'm behind two NAT gateways, the first in the modem/router and the second in the Opal router.

First issue - this 4G modem/router is not a simple modem, but is a router.

Second issue - When plugged into the Opal router USB port, this router gets very hot. I'm afraid of the heat damaging the USB port. I found that I could power the 4g modem/router in a USB charging brick, and then configure the Opal router to be a Repeater for the WiFi transmitted by the modem/router. For whatever reason, when the router is in the charging brick it's not getting as hot as when it's in the Opal router.

I've searched for "4G Modem" and what comes up is a long list of nearly identical 4G router/modems very similar to the one I have. So I have no confidence any of those will be any better than the one I have.

I know very little about how 4G Modems work, but understand there are AT commands similar to what I used to do with 1200 baud modems up to the super-advanced 56kb modems that were so wonderful until DSL and Cable Internet came along.

The GL-INET manual is a little imprecise about what "3G/4G Modem" actually means. e.g. when I connect my modem to the Opal router, it does not show up as a Modem but as a tethered device. Likewise, when I attach a cell phone to the port, in Android settings I turn on tethering mode, and the Opal router see's it as a tethered device.

On Amazon, I found SIM7600-H which is identical to what I'd expect of a 4G modem. It does not do any routing, it is simply a modem. In the buyer reviews one mentions that this device has 5 actual USB endpoints, it takes awhile for all five to connect, and once it connects then it will respond to AT commands.

Issue three -- How would the Opal router know what AT commands to use? Is there standardized AT commands for 3G/4G modems? Does the Opal router know how to recognize that a given device has five USB endpoints? Does the Opal router work with this SIM7600-H device?

Last point - My Google Pixel 4a was not entirely reliable with the Opal router. But, we also have a Moto g8, and that was very reliable. If I don't find a clear indication of a good 4G modem that would work with the opal router, I have two ideas in mind: 1) Buy a Moto g8/g9 cell phone; 2) The GL-INET X750 Spitz looks nice and is much more affordable than the Spitz AX.

alzhao · 2024-06-24T06:04:34.474Z

Usually hostless (tethering) modems works with the router. While other modems may not work.

reikiman · 2024-06-24T10:58:17.728Z

I'm not sure what you mean by "hostless modem"? Do you mean one like the one I have, which is a USB dongle with a combination modem/router?

reikiman · 2024-06-24T11:05:24.544Z

Oh, looking at the online documentation again, I see a list of modem products

docs.gl-inet.com

Internet - GL.iNet Router Docs 3

Documentation for GL.iNet Router Productions

reikiman · 2024-06-24T13:42:28.881Z

I'm not liking the choices on this route. The GL-750v2 Spitz for Europe uses Quectel EP06-E, and the model for USA uses the Quectel EC25-AFFA. That gives a clue for supported cards. But using the card requires a dongle to interface to USB, and the total price is going so high that it's better to just buy the Spitz router.

gfondeur · 2024-06-25T02:06:50.806Z

I'm being using this one for over two years with differents GL routers and always works flawless Inseego

alzhao · 2024-06-25T07:14:26.672Z

Is this one hostless?
It is more expensieve than our router.

gfondeur · 2024-06-25T08:21:28.437Z

What you mean hostlees?
If you mean without an interface only went it's connected to a computer you can access it's interface

The router sees it like a telethering device

alzhao · 2024-06-25T08:55:16.080Z

Hostless, means can work without a Host.

Hostless = tethering

Generally comes with wifi itself.

gfondeur · 2024-06-25T18:20:03.286Z

No, it does not have wifi, actually that's the feature I was looking for